“Ministers
have clearly read our report: Solutions to Child Poverty,
released in December 2012, and listened to New Zealanders’
concern about children living in poverty, says Dr Wills.

“There is much in today’s package to be impressed
with, particularly given the government’s constrained
finances. We might just be becoming a country that
prioritises its children.

Co-chairs of the expert
advisory group Dr Jonathon Boston and Dr Tracey McIntosh
agree today’s announcement is a good starting point: “I
welcome any measures to alleviate child poverty and improve
children’s wellbeing, but there is much more work to be
done,” says Dr Boston.

“I’m glad to see
government take steps to address these issues and to start
to make a difference in the lives of children, communities
and families,” adds Dr McIntosh.

Dr Wills says he is
pleased to see the increased support for parents on
benefits: “It is good to see government moving towards a
more hands-on and supportive approach for Work and Income
clients.

“It is very pleasing to see resourcing to
implementation of the vulnerable children’s action plan.
This programme of work is critical in changing the way
services respond to vulnerable children and provide
effective services to them and their families.

“The
additional funding for Kin Carers and Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren is essential funding and should give real
support to children and families. I also welcome the
increased funding for early education, particularly the
$41.3m for services working with vulnerable families. This
extra resource means more children will be able to access
early education. This focus on early years will make a
long-term difference to our children’s educational
outcomes.

“We know crowded, cold and damp houses
contribute greatly to dismal health and education outcomes
for children. So, I am also pleased to see the first serious
efforts to increase housing supply - a necessary first step
towards improving housing affordability. Increasing the
number of affordable houses and the number of bedrooms will
help address over-crowding issues.

“I note the focus
is on Housing New Zealand properties and it is good to see
the introduction of a basic minimum standard for these
properties and continued funding for insulation. These
initiatives, combined with work and funding already
announced to address rheumatic fever, and the expansion to
B4 schools checks, will make a positive difference in the
lives of many children.

“However, I note that no
action is being taken on a warrant of fitness for
privately-owned rentals at this stage. Given that two thirds
of children in poverty living in rented housing are in
private rental homes, I look forward to hearing
government’s plans to improve the standard of private
rental accommodation.

“The announcement regarding
increased support for budgeting services and the intention
to further progress work on microfinance is also more good
news for families. We know problem debt is a serious issue
for poor families with children. Banks, NGOs and Work and
Income working together to give families access to
affordable credit will be a major step forward. Directors of
banks keen to be involved should know it will make a great
difference to families.

“We understand that further
work is being done on food in schools and I look forward to
seeing what that package is. I am also pleased to hear that
a formal response to the Expert Advisory Group’s report
will be made shortly.

“Child Poverty is complex and
it takes time to get the policy work right. I will continue
to work with officials to progress the Expert Advisory
Group’s recommendations specifically to action work on
food in schools, microfinance, the Vulnerable Children’s
Action Plan and working to improve child health services,”
says Dr. Wills

In response to the challenges facing Scoop and the media industry we’ve instituted an Ethical Paywall to keep the news freely available to the public.
Organisations whose staff use Scoop at work need to be licensed through a ScoopPro subscription under this new model, these users get access to exclusive news tools.
If you love Scoop you can also support through a monthly donation as a Foundation Supporter.

Teachers and principals voted for a full day strike to be held on 15 August to send a strong message to the Government that the current collective agreement offers from the Ministry of Education would not fix the crisis in teaching.

"There needs to be better investment in education so every child can reach their potential and we have enough teachers for every class", said NZEI Te Riu Roa lead principal negotiator Louise Green. More>>

.

The New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) and the Ministry of Education today signed Terms of Settlement to address a pay equity claim for 329 support workers who work with very young children in early childhood and primary schools. More>>

The former president of Australia’s Human Rights Commission Gillian Triggs says deportations have risen dramatically in Australia since 2014 when ministers and ministerial delegates were given the power to cancel visas - and half of those being deported are New Zealanders. "These are massive numbers, actually escalating dramatically."... More>>

Human rights organisation People Against Prisons Aotearoa says a prisoner they advocate for has had 9 boxes of legal documents seized from him just days before his case against the Department of Corrections was to be heard. More>>

Party Leader David Seymour today revealed his Smaller Government Bill which will reduce the size of Parliament to 100 MPs, limit the size of the Executive to 20 Ministers, and remove the Maori seats. More>>